In doing so, he appears to be taking a leaf out of Sarah Palin’s book – the would-be presidential candidate and reality TV show star applied to trademark her and daughter Bristol’s names in the US earlier this month.Assange’s aplication reveals that wants the trademark for providing services such as ‘Public speaking services; news reporter services; journalism; publication of texts other than publicity texts; education services; entertainment services.’

It’s not clear if the inclusion of ‘entertainment services’ suggests Assange wants to keep his options open for a future career on the light entertainment circuit, or if it might be an attempt to assert some control over unauthorised depictions of him – a film based on Assange’s life is already said to be in development.The application will be formally published by the IPO on March 4, following which anyone who wishes to challenge the application – for example, any other provider of entertainment services who is called Julian Assange – will have two months to register their opposition, otherwise it will likely be granted.